8 The System, Choices of Paths, and Tasks
Inside his cramped apartment in the tenement, Lorenzo was attempting to interact with the interface floating before him. He waved, trying to touch it, only to find his hand moving through the ethereal screen. A mix of confusion and curiosity colored his tone as he muttered, "What's this all about?"
He squinted at the text shimmering on the transparent display and read aloud, puzzled, "Congratulations? You've awakened the Godfather System?" There was a pause, a moment of disbelief. "I'm being congratulated for awakening... The Godfather System?"
As the words "Godfather System" left his lips, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind, [Ding! You've received a choice of path!]
Before his wide-eyed astonishment, the interface changed to display [Ding! You've received a choice of path!]
Lorenzo's gaze roved over the screen, absorbing the message laid out before him: [Your current life as an assembly line worker, barely scraping by on a meager daily wage, is unworthy of someone destined to be a Godfather. Choose your path from the list provided, and let your choice guide you down the divergent roads of fate.]
[1: Join a Mafia Family! - Embark on a journey within the mafia world by joining an established family. Start by tackling tasks that boost your reputation, forge alliances, and climb the ranks. Build your influence and strategize within the family dynamics, aiming to become the revered Godfather. Challenges include navigating the intricate web of family politics, rivalries, and the delicate balance between loyalty and ambition.]
[2: Found Your Own Mafia Family! - Forge your path by creating your own Mafia family. This ambitious route involves recruiting loyal followers, securing resources, carving out your territory, and standing your ground against existing powers. Challenges include facing off against established families and building your and your family's reputation from the ground up.]
Confronted with these two paths, Lorenzo couldn't help but reflect. This mysterious system, with its hints of magic and promise of a different life, reminded him of something his anime, manga, and light novel-loving younger brother used to rave about. "So, this is that 'System' my brother was always talking about," Lorenzo murmured to himself, weighing his options carefully.
Despite a past marred by betrayal from a former boss, Lorenzo wasn't opposed to the idea of aligning with a mafia family. However, within the complexities of New York's five mafia families, only joining the ranks of the Corleone family seemed an appealing choice for him.
Lorenzo understood that joining a mafia family meant unwavering dedication and loyalty. However, the prospect of joining the Corleone family came with its own set of challenges. Climbing the ranks to impress Don Vito Corleone would take years, and with Don Vito nearing the end of his life, Lorenzo realized his window to rise to prominence under Vito's leadership was closing rapidly. Moreover, with the Corleone family hastening to appoint Michael as the successor, Lorenzo's chances of becoming the Don dwindled.
Joining the Corleone family under Michael's leadership was far from ideal for Lorenzo. Working with Don Vito, or even with Michael in the early days of his reign, might have been manageable. However, Lorenzo was all too aware of the transformation Michael would undergo, becoming increasingly ruthless and distrustful, even towards those who had proven their loyalty. The prospect of navigating this treacherous landscape, with ambitions of rising to the role of don and earning the title "Godfather" within the Corleone family, meant inevitably confronting a formidable Michael. Given Michael's growing power and suspicion, Lorenzo could easily become just another obstacle to be removed.
Thus, the idea of joining an established mafia family seemed increasingly untenable.
Lorenzo's attention then shifted to the second option: establishing his own mafia family. Despite the daunting challenges this path presented, it began to appear as the more viable option for him. With patience and strategic planning, he could carefully recruit members and gradually build his influence and power. This route, though fraught with difficulty, offered Lorenzo a chance to forge his own destiny in the criminal underworld.
As Lorenzo leaned towards the second option among the paths presented to him, the system interjected, [The host must understand that selecting a path cannot be done directly through the system. It is only through the host's actions, whether joining an existing family or founding a new one, that a choice can be made. Once the host has taken decisive action, a list of missions and tasks aligned with the chosen path will become available.]
Upon reading this, Lorenzo was taken aback. "So, my choice is determined by my actions, then?" he pondered aloud. He then realized, "This means as long as I make a definitive decision regarding my path, my choice remains valid?"
[Exactly, host.]
Hearing the system respond directly surprised Lorenzo. It seemed to sense his astonishment, adding, [Host, the "Godfather System" is equipped with advanced AI technology, which is why I am able to interact with you like this.]
Understanding that the system was endowed with AI capabilities, Lorenzo nodded, taking in the new information. "Given my situation, do you have any advice, system? Perhaps on recruiting my own men? Specifically, those with experience and loyalty?"
The system offered its guidance, [This is merely a suggestion from the system, Host. Given that World War II is currently unfolding, you could consider enlisting in the military. This would provide an opportunity to build a reputation within the ranks and establish connections with fellow soldiers. Alternatively, you could opt not to join the conflict and instead recruit retired soldiers. However, it's worth noting that these individuals may not hold the same level of respect for you as they would have if you had shared their wartime experiences.]
Lorenzo was taken aback by the system's proposition of joining the war effort.
Curious about the implications of this advice on his future decisions, he inquired, "If I were to serve in the war, would my path choices remain open to me?"
The system confirmed, [Indeed, Host. Your choices regarding your path can be deferred until after you have fulfilled your military obligations. In fact, regardless of whether you have made a definitive choice regarding your path, the system has already prepared tasks for you to undertake.]
Lorenzo, taken aback, requested, "Could you show me the tasks that have been set?"
[Understood!]
[Task List:
- Enlist in the military and serve in World War II, demonstrating the leadership and sacrifice befitting a future Don - Incomplete. Reward: 30XP
- Play a significant role in the war and make substantial contributions until its conclusion - Incomplete. Reward: 100XP, plus a special bonus
- Teach Max and his gang a lesson, convincing them to enlist and serve in the military - Incomplete. Reward: 10XP
- Avenge your friend, Adam, by confronting Antonio and his thuggish entourage - Incomplete. Reward: 10XP
- Ensure Adam receives the medical care he needs after the factory refuses to provide further assistance - Incomplete. Reward: 10XP
- Successfully befriend Deborah - Completed. Reward: 5XP - Deepen your relationship with Deborah, aiming to reach a relationship level of 30 (Note: Check the relationship tab to view your status with other characters) - Incomplete. Reward: 20XP
...]
Lorenzo couldn't hide his surprise as he scanned through the list of tasks, noting that nearly all were pending completion, except for "Befriending Deborah".
"System, open the relationship tab," Lorenzo commanded, and the system obliged.
[Relationship Tab]
[For a future Godfather and leader of a powerful family, it's essential to have devoted and beautiful partners.
Potential Lovers: Deborah. Progress: +12]
[As a future Godfather and leader of a mighty family, having loyal and trustworthy friends is crucial.
Friends: Adam: +70 Friendship and Loyalty. Fat Moe: +30 Friendship and Loyalty. Albert Neri: +10 Friendship]
[For a future Godfather and the head of a formidable family, there will inevitably be adversaries.
Enemies: Max: -80. Patrick: -75. Philip: -70. Antonio: 0]
Upon seeing this, Lorenzo found the "Relationship Tab" incredibly insightful. It presented a clear picture of his relationships, helping him discern true friends from foes. This feature could prevent him from repeating the painful betrayal he experienced in his past life at the hands of his so-called friend, Marco, which ultimately led to his demise.
As he lay on his modest bed, the sound of a woman's moans from a nearby apartment infiltrated the thin walls, disturbing Lorenzo's peace. Living in a densely packed tenement, privacy was a luxury he didn't have. The noise was not just a distraction but a test of his resolve, as he had no women to satisfy his needs and Lorenzo wasn't the type to give in to base impulses like masturbation simply because of what he heard. To him, maintaining his dignity, even in loneliness, mattered. He believed in maintaining his dignity, not just for his own sake but in the eyes of a higher judgment.
Choosing to ignore the distractions, Lorenzo buried his head under his pillows, attempting to drown out the noise and catch a brief nap. Drifting off around 1 PM, he awoke refreshed two hours later, at 3 PM. Suddenly, he recalled Deborah mentioning she would be dancing this afternoon. Realizing the time, a sense of urgency gripped him.
Prompted by the memory, Lorenzo quickly got dressed, opened his door, and stepped out of the tenement building.
The building was conveniently located near the Gelly Family's delicatessen, nestled within the local Jewish neighborhood.
Upon reaching the deli, Lorenzo inquired, "Where's Deborah?"
Fat Moe, looking slightly puzzled, responded, "She went out. Why do you ask?"
Realizing Deborah wasn't there, Lorenzo let out a sigh of disappointment and muttered, "No reason..."
With that, he left the delicatessen, his thoughts turning to Adam in the hospital. Deciding to visit him seemed like the next best use of his time.
